Southern NV Sports Hall of Fame 2008 Induction
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Friday, June 6, 2008
6:00pm Orleans Arena  |
Cocktails & Silent Auction: 6:00pm
Dinner & Ceremony: 7:30pm
Tables of 8 Available for $1500
Individual Dinner Available for $200
Additional Gold Packages Available at snshf.com
Dinner & Ceremony: 7:30pm
Tables of 8 Available for $1500
Individual Dinner Available for $200
Additional Gold Packages Available at snshf.com
The Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame executive committee announced today the Class of 2008 including Rich Abajian, Fred Dallimore, Larry Johnson, Mel Larson and Wendy Macpherson.
"This is one of the strongest and most diverse classes ever inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame," said Hall of Fame Chairman Dan Dolby. "These five inductees represent different sports and disciplines. But they all have one thing in common and that is their positive impact on the community and sports in Southern Nevada."
After a successful athletic career in Walla Walla, Wash., Abajian came to Las Vegas in 1977 as a graduate assistant at UNLV. He went on to become a highly effective recruiter and defensive backs coach for the Rebels, where he studied under legendary coach Tony Knap from 1978-81. He eventually chose a career in the automobile business, leading several of the most successful automobile dealerships in the country. He currently serves as the general manager of Findlay Toyota and COO of the entire Findlay Automotive Group.
One of the winningest coaches in college baseball history, Dallimore led UNLV for 23 seasons and compiled an overall record of 794-558-2 (.587). He averaged a stunning 34.5 wins per season. Known as a supreme developer of talent, he produced 11 All-Americans. He left Las Vegas for a professional coaching career but returned in 1997 to have his number No. 13 retired by the school, joining former peer Jerry Tarkanian as the only other coach in school history to have his jersey retired.
Johnson is perhaps the most accomplished Runnin' Rebel of all. The power forward took home the prestigious John Wooden Award as the nation's top player as a senior as well as being a unanimous first team All-American. As a junior in 1989-90 he teamed with Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon to lead Tarkanian's Runnin' Rebels to their first NCAA Championship. In 1991, the Charlotte Hornets made Johnson the top overall pick in the NBA Draft, making him the only UNLV player ever chosen No. 1 overall in a professional league draft. He went on to play 10 years in the NBA.
Larson has dedicated a majority of his life to motorsports. An active competitor on the NASCAR circuit and in the Mint 400, Larson also understood public relations and promotions. He relocated to Las Vegas in 1974 when he was named the director of public relations at Circus Circus. After retirement from Circus Circus in 1992, Mel became even busier. He helped in the conceptualization of Las Vegas Motor Speedway - a facility that is owned by Speedway Motorsports and headed by Larson's friend of 50 years, Bruton Smith.
Macpherson is an international bowling icon. Macpherson is the youngest bowler to win the U.S. Open, a feat she accomplished as an amateur at age 18 in 1986 at the BPAA U.S. Open in Topeka, Kansas. She went on to win five more major titles, including the 1998, 2000 and 2003 USBC Queens and the 1990 and 1999 Sam's Town Invitational. Overall, she has won 20 career professional titles, 12 career regional titles and three USBC team titles. Among her many awards, Macpherson was named Female Bowler of the Decade for the 1990's by Bowler's Journal.
The five inductees will be honored June 6 at the Orleans Arena. For more information, please go to www.SNSHF.com.
The Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization committed to recognizing the outstanding achievements by Southern Nevada athletes, both in the world of sports and the local community.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to organizations committed to the support and enhancement of Southern Nevada youth through active participation in programs designed to promote leadership, values, and character through sports.
"This is one of the strongest and most diverse classes ever inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame," said Hall of Fame Chairman Dan Dolby. "These five inductees represent different sports and disciplines. But they all have one thing in common and that is their positive impact on the community and sports in Southern Nevada."
After a successful athletic career in Walla Walla, Wash., Abajian came to Las Vegas in 1977 as a graduate assistant at UNLV. He went on to become a highly effective recruiter and defensive backs coach for the Rebels, where he studied under legendary coach Tony Knap from 1978-81. He eventually chose a career in the automobile business, leading several of the most successful automobile dealerships in the country. He currently serves as the general manager of Findlay Toyota and COO of the entire Findlay Automotive Group.
One of the winningest coaches in college baseball history, Dallimore led UNLV for 23 seasons and compiled an overall record of 794-558-2 (.587). He averaged a stunning 34.5 wins per season. Known as a supreme developer of talent, he produced 11 All-Americans. He left Las Vegas for a professional coaching career but returned in 1997 to have his number No. 13 retired by the school, joining former peer Jerry Tarkanian as the only other coach in school history to have his jersey retired.
Johnson is perhaps the most accomplished Runnin' Rebel of all. The power forward took home the prestigious John Wooden Award as the nation's top player as a senior as well as being a unanimous first team All-American. As a junior in 1989-90 he teamed with Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon to lead Tarkanian's Runnin' Rebels to their first NCAA Championship. In 1991, the Charlotte Hornets made Johnson the top overall pick in the NBA Draft, making him the only UNLV player ever chosen No. 1 overall in a professional league draft. He went on to play 10 years in the NBA.
Larson has dedicated a majority of his life to motorsports. An active competitor on the NASCAR circuit and in the Mint 400, Larson also understood public relations and promotions. He relocated to Las Vegas in 1974 when he was named the director of public relations at Circus Circus. After retirement from Circus Circus in 1992, Mel became even busier. He helped in the conceptualization of Las Vegas Motor Speedway - a facility that is owned by Speedway Motorsports and headed by Larson's friend of 50 years, Bruton Smith.
Macpherson is an international bowling icon. Macpherson is the youngest bowler to win the U.S. Open, a feat she accomplished as an amateur at age 18 in 1986 at the BPAA U.S. Open in Topeka, Kansas. She went on to win five more major titles, including the 1998, 2000 and 2003 USBC Queens and the 1990 and 1999 Sam's Town Invitational. Overall, she has won 20 career professional titles, 12 career regional titles and three USBC team titles. Among her many awards, Macpherson was named Female Bowler of the Decade for the 1990's by Bowler's Journal.
The five inductees will be honored June 6 at the Orleans Arena. For more information, please go to www.SNSHF.com.
The Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization committed to recognizing the outstanding achievements by Southern Nevada athletes, both in the world of sports and the local community.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to organizations committed to the support and enhancement of Southern Nevada youth through active participation in programs designed to promote leadership, values, and character through sports.
